Cracking Open the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT teardown

With its built-in kickstand, keyboard cover, and Windows 8 OS, Microsoft's Surface with Windows RT is definitely a unique tablet. But, that's just on the outside. What about on the inside? In this Cracking Open gallery, I take you inside the Surface for a look at the hardware that runs Microsoft's tablet.

Cracking Open Surface with Windows RT: Box

Cracking Open Surface with Windows RT: Hardware specifications

The Surface with Windows RT has a 10.6" IPS screen (1,366 x 768), left and right speakers, Micro-HDMI output, a full-size USB 2 port, microSD card slot, and 720p front and rear cameras. The tablet also has a quad-core, Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 2GB RAM, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, and comes in either 32GB or 64GB models.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublicCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open Surface with Windows RT: Dimensions and weight

The Surface with Windows RT is slightly heavier than the 3rd generation Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, but only by a few ounces. It measures 10.81" (W) x 6.77" (H) x 0.37" (D) and weighs 1.5 pounds.

Cracking Open Surface with Windows RT: Ambient light sensor

Cracking Open Surface with Windows RT: Completely disassembled

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT teardown

With its built-in kickstand, keyboard cover, and Windows 8 OS, Microsoft's Surface with Windows RT is definitely a unique tablet. But, that's just on the outside. What about on the inside? In this Cracking Open gallery, I take you inside the Surface for a look at the hardware that runs Microsoft's tablet.

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...

Disclosure

Bill Detwiler has nothing to disclose. He doesn't hold investments in the technology companies he covers.

Full Bio

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.

Thanks for sharing what we should know, as they play with our future computing ways, while we are expecting WISER more CAPABLE machines that can think and sing as well as talk and listen, better then these toys makers = see USCIIIIII CODE solution for merging Human Mind with Universal Electronic Brain

Personally I hate touch screens, and prefer a mouse and keyboard because it is more precise, faster, and keeps the screen much cleaner. Ever try to get peanut butter off a touch screen?
The question is what happens if I want to use a surface to remote desktop to my home computer running Win8?

TR is a Resource for IT Professionals and as such every Article/Blog or whatever you want to call it is aimed directly at IT Professionals not members of the General Public.
As People who are tasked with supporting this hardware at the very least IT Pros should have some basic idea of what's inside the thing how fragile it is and what's likely to break.
So you could either pull this stuff apart yourself and run the risk of breaking it and most likely Peeving off the CEO when you break his new toy or let someone else do it and look at the results.
Being one of those who has to pay for what they break The Cracking Open Series I find helpful.
Of course not everyone will but then I suspect those who don't find them useful are not professionals to begin with and are just playing here. ;)
Col

I for one am glad you continue this series of slides/videos, always updating your readers with new (and sometimes not-so-new) âequipment crackdownâ. I have learned a lot from this series and always look forward to expand my knowledge via your website. Please, accept my hearth felt thank you for your work.